Ignition-spark tester



March 6, 192s. Y 1,661,664

R.' M. JOHNSON' IGNITION SPARK TESTER Filed May 31. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet1 l I l//f v grwafnoz Z0 HM'fzwon abboznuf March 6, 1934s. 1,661,664

R. M. JOHNSON IGNITION SPARK TESTER ay 51. 27 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 j'. 7

Huot mm1 s Patented Mar. 6, 1928.

ROBERT M. JOHNSON, OF WESTMOREIJAIIID,` CALIFORNIA.

IGNITION-SPARK TESTER.

Application filed May 31, 1927. 'Serial No. 195,297.

This invention relates to a combined tion spark tester and burglarswitch and 1t consists in the novel features hereinafter described andclaimed.

The device is termed a spark tester for the reason that the sparks whichmay be produced across gaps in the circuits of an ignition system may beobserved and the conditions of the said circuits or currentsascertained. The device is termed a burglar switch for the reason thatmeans are provided for interrupting the circuits at the gaps between thepoints thus cutting oft the currents to the ignition plugs.

An object of the invention isto provide an improved spark indicator andspark plug tester for internal combustion engines, and it includesauxiliary spark gaps adapted to be respectively included in circuit withthe spark plugs and whereby the said auxiliary spark gap will be easilyvisible so that the currents of a spark at any one of said gaps may bereadily observed and the proper flow of current'to the plugs may bedetermined.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure whereincorresponding terminals of the auxiliary spark gaps may be readilyadjusted with respect to the coacting terminals f said gaps for eitherclosing the circuits at the gaps or varying the length of said gapstoaccordingly test the eliiciency of the respective spark plugs.

A still further object of the invention is to provide insulating meansadaptedy to be disposed in the gaps and interposed between the terminalsto positively prevent sparks from bridging the gaps when it is desiredthat the dow of the current to the ignition plug should be interrupted,thus providing means for assuring a saving of wear or exhaustion ofbatteries or other current generator.

Tn the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a face view of the spark indicator.

Figure 2 is a sectional view thereof, cu on the line 2 2 of Figure 1. f

Figure 3 is a sectional View thereof, cut on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional View, cut on the line 4-4 of Figure1.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view, cut on the line 5 5 of Figure1.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view cut on the line 6 6 ofFigure 3.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the lthe same side of the casingand coil springs I A block 8 is 7 are mounted upon said bolts. slidablymounted upon the bolts and rests upon the ends of the springs 7`as bestshown in Figure 3 of the drawing. Terminals 9 are carried by the block 8and are spaced from each other and disposed'opposite the i terminalsNuts 10 are screwed uponthe upper end of the bolts 6 and serve to movethe block 8 and the points 9 carried thereby Terminals 4 pass throughone side f toward the points or terminals 4. The` points or terminals E)are connected with cur,

rent wires 11. The wires 5 and 11 are connected in the ignition circuit(not shown) in any suitable or usual manner. The terminnals 4 and 9 arenormally spaced from each other attheir inner ends to provide gaps asbest indicated in Figure 3 of the drawings. A tongue 12 of insulatingmaterial is pivotally mounted between lugs 13 provided at the interiorof the casing. A shaft 14 iS journalled in the lugs and may slidetherein and the said shaft is provided with a noncircular or squaredsection 15 which is slidably received in the tongue 12. Therefore, thetongue l2 may slide along the shaft 14, but the tongue 12 is constrainedto turn with the shaft. A sleeve 16 receives theouter portion of theshaft 14 and is provided with a curved slot 17 which receives a pin 18carried by the shaft 14. The shaft is provided atits outer end with aknob 20.

By adjusting the nuts 10 upon the bolts 6, the block 8 may be movedtoward or away from the side of the casing 1 which carries the terminals4. Consequently, the gaps between the terminals 4 and 9 may be regu-`lated with regard to their transverse breadth. By turning the shaft 14,the tongue 12 may be swung from the position shown in Figure 2 of thedrawings to a position indicated by the dotted lines in said figure,whereby the said tongue is interposed between the opposite ends of theterminals 4 and 9. Thus the circuits may be `tions set forth.

interrupted and the supply of the current to the ignition plugs may.v becut oil'. As the shaft 1-t is turned. the pin 18 moves along the curvedslot 17 'trom one end to the opposite end thereof. and consequently7 thesha'ts 1t remains placed at that position to which it is pnt. As theshaft 14 turns and the pin 1S moves alone the slot 17, the shaft 11slides loinljitlulinally and the noncireular section 15 thereof slidesthrough the ttme'ue 12.

Thus. it will be seen that means are provided t'or observing the sparksand for cuttiner otil the supplwv ot' current to the spark plugs, andthe tongue ma)v serve as a burglar switch for cutting oli' the currentat the spark gaps, thus preventing the battery from rrnninj.;r downshould the primary switch of the current (not shown) be left on.

IVhile I have particularly described the elements best adapted toperform the A[inne- I it is obvious that various changes in form.proportion and in the minor details ot construction may be resorted to.within the scope ot the appended claims, without departing Afrom thespirit or sacrificing an)Y of the principles of the invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed, is:

1. A. device of the character described comprising;r a easing, a blockmounted for movement and adapted to form a side of the casing, alignedterminals carried by the block and an opposite wall of the casing, and atongue pivoted in the rinsing,r and adapted to be moved to a positionbetween the terminals.

A device ot' the character described comprising a casino', bolts mountedat oneI side of the casing, springs coiled about the bolts, a blockslidably mounted upon the bolts and bearing against the springs, meansmounted upon the bolts for holding the block at an adjusted position.aligned terminals carried h v the block and an opposite side ol'I thecasing and a 'tongue adapted to be interposed between the terminals.

8. A device of thc character descrilwd comprising a casina'. a blockmovabl)v mounted therein. aligned terminals carried bv the block and anopposite side ot the casing and a tongue adapted to he interposedbetween the terminals.

4. A device of the character described comprising a easing, alignedterminals carried by the casing, a shaft journallcd in the casing andadapted to slide therein, means t'or holding;r the shaft at an adjustedposition.` a tongue slidably mounted upon the shaftv and adapted to turnwith the same and adapted to be interposed between the, alignedterminals.

In testimony whereof I allix my signatures.

ROBERT M. JOHNSON.

